Page 66 of Shadows of Obsession

I feel his lips' touch my forehead, then my cheek, the corner of my mouth. It's a light touch, not even a kiss, but my whole body develops a slight tremor from the sensation it awakens.

"I would cut off my own hands before hurting you in any way, love."

The words are more of a murmur, but they make me tremble even more in his arms. Something tells me others would say this as an exaggeration, but Roman is serious.

He really would do it.

My hands traverse his abdomen and I feel every fiber in him tensing under my fingertips. It's a feeling of power that this man, who emanates so much strength and authority, has this reaction to being touched by me.

I rise slightly on my tiptoes and press my face to his neck. I smell that cologne with orange notes and press my lips to it. I know how much a person's perfume matters, but I never thought that for me comfort would come in the form of citrus and conifers.

He stands completely still, waiting to see what I'll do next, and somehow his restraint increases my impatience. I feel the vein in his neck and bring my lips to it.

"Luna."

My name is more of a breath. I choose to ignore it and leave kisses all over his neck while my hands familiarize themselves with his skin. I feel something vibrating in his pocket and close my eyes. I know he'll have to take that call, but I wish we had a few more minutes to stay like this.

"I need to answer." His voice is hoarse, and being pressed so tightly against him, I realize he’s having the same thoughts as me.

I take a step back and he takes his phone in hand.

"I need to talk to Anton," he tells me and steps toward me.

His mouth doesn't wait more than a second before crashing into mine. It's not a delicate kiss. It's a promise. He touches my slightly swollen lips with his finger and tells me, "Stay."

I nod and watch him go to the door to take the call. A single word, but its meaning is so complex. To stay in his house. To stay beside him.

To stay in his life.

Chapter 24

?

Roman

I'm caught up in a call with Anton until late at night when I manage to break away from paperwork, transports, and problems. All we've managed to find out is that the Russian company financing the Irish was established by an associate of the pakhan in Russia, Ilya. At thirty-nine, he's a leader respected by all his soldiers, and I can't understand why an associate of his would want to get involved in our business here.

That's why I had to make a call. Ilya knows how much it matters for Moscow that things remain as they are. Since Damien and I took power in Chicago, we've brought many opportunities to the Russian mafia. All of our Asian transports go through them. We opened up the art dealing market for them here, not to mention giving them direct access to all the cartels down south. So, a lot of commodities.

His reaction was exactly as mine would have been. Calm. Rational. But as one predator always senses another, I know some serious interrogations will follow.

And much blood.

Something was strange about the way he talked about one associate in particular, Rastovski. I could have sworn I heard hatred in his voice when speaking, but as long as he takes care of keeping order in Russia, it's enough for me.

When I enter the bedroom, I see Luna's form under the blankets and a warm feeling sneaks into my chest. Earlier I saw red when she compared me to that pathetic excuse for a man. Logically, I understand her fear. I'm the head of a criminal organization. It's normal for her to be fearful.

But the strange part was realizing that her arguments didn't bother me rationally. They hurt me. In an organ I thought had only one function, namely to pump blood. In the part of me that was only moved each time I saw Victoria coming out healthy after a hospital check.

I know the beast in me wants to keep her locked up, to let no one else have access to her, but I realize that would only make her hate me.

I didn't lie when I told her why I want her to have protection non-stop. There's something in me that falters just at the thought that she could fall into my enemies' hands.

As I slip in beside her, I notice that it becomes increasingly difficult to keep my eyes open.

?

It's seven in the morning, and when I feel a breath at the base of my neck and look down, I can't stop the smile forming on my face.

---